There’s no doubt that Scottish author John Buchan would be delighted with the on-going popularity of his 1915 novel. The 39 Steps was originally published in serial form in Blackwood's Magazine before being published by William Blackwood and Sons in book form later that year. The first of five novels starring the adventurous hero Richard Hannay, Alfred Hitchcock committed the story to film in 1935. Now Buchan’s classic, timeless adventure has been adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow, inspired by an original concept from Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon.

The 39 Steps – the story

The hero, Richard Hannay, encounters a mysterious woman who leads him on a country-wide adventure which sees him desperate to clear his name and save his King and country, with Scotland Yard’s crack team of policemen and detectives in hot pursuit.

The 39 Steps - A masterpiece of on-stage creativity!

Thought by many to be impossible to stage, The 39 Steps is a massive hit with four actors playing at least 139 roles between them in 100 minutes, while managing to remain faithful to the most dramatic scenes from the hit Hitchcock film. This amazing stage production includes the famous chase on the Flying Scotsman train, the well-loved scene on the Forth Bridge, the world’s first ever on-stage ‘plane crash and the edge-of-your-seat drama of the film’s death defying finale.

Renowned as an ‘astonishing theatrical tour de force’, it’s a visual and emotional feast of drama, villainy, adventure and pure silliness, guaranteed to raise a constant stream of giggles and belly laughs. Audiences absolutely love it, and it’s no surprise that 39 Steps is currently the West End’s longest-running comedy, winner of an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and coveted Tony Awards for best lighting design and sound design.

Why is it called ‘The 39 Steps’? While Buchan was writing the book, holed up in the English seaside town of Broadstairs, his small daughter counted 39 steps down from the town to the beach.

Today The 39 Steps has been seen by people in 25 or more countries, a typically British affair with a wide appeal that reaches far beyond our shores, and a stint on the Broadway stage too. Whatever your age, if you appreciate tongue in cheek comedy, Monty Python-style silliness, a generous helping of irony and non-stop action, The 39 Steps is the perfect West End theatre experience!

Buy your 39 Steps tickets here!

If you’re keen to experience the thrills, chills, spills and laughter of London’s longest running stage comedy, we’re your first stop for 39 Steps theatre tickets to suit every pocket, with a wide choice at your fingertips and the ability to choose your seats before confirming your booking.

Please Note: seats with a face value of £25 in the rear stalls are classed as restricted view

We have a great selection of cheap 39 Steps tickets. We can help you save up to 70% on 39 Steps tickets! If you're looking for discount theatre tickets have a look below for our latest offers for 39 Steps at the Criterion Theatre.

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Was £65.00

Now £39.00

-40%

Valid all performances until 5 September 15.

Press Reviews

A joyous version of the Hitchcock classic
The Sunday Times

Exactly the thing the West End has been waiting for
The Observer

Customer Reviews

What to expect:

Acting:

Music:

Costumes:

Story:

Lighting:

Recommended for:

Anyone:

80%

Families:

84%

Teenagers:

85%

Couples:

91%

Theatregoers:

94%

based on 681 reviews

Fun afternoon

Emma London Box Office customer

39 Steps

The 39 steps is a really fabulous show, so sad that it has now finished its long run at the Criterion theatre.
Lets hope that it will go on tour, as I will definitely go to see it again .

DennisLondon Box Office customer

Outstanding

Outstanding show. Enough said!

PhillLondon Box Office customer

Great show

SteveLondon Box Office customer

Catch it before it ends!!

TimothyLondon Box Office customer

Great and funny adaptation of the film

BridgetLondon Box Office customer

Great fast paced story with some good laughs

Great fun show. Fast paced but easy to follow. Some good laughs and great acting

cedricLondon Box Office customer

Very funny and silly!

Lovely old theatre - went with my mum, we both enjoyed it and laughed a lot. Highly recommend it. We sat in the stalls, row k and had a great view.

AmberLondon Box Office customer

Fun

RogerLondon Box Office customer

Fun

Theatre very warm, cast looked as if they were melting.
Covered most of the story in an amusing way. Glad we saw it, but not a show to watch more than once.

JamesLondon Box Office customer

Tremendous fun

My wife and I enjoyed the show. It was great fun. The actors did so well playing so many parts.

GarethLondon Box Office customer

Energetic silly fun

A fantastic show which was so funny with some amazing acting

EileenLondon Box Office customer

Not for my personal taste but people around loved it

MariaLondon Box Office customer

39 excellent steps

AlanLondon Box Office customer

Change to the Norm!

We've been to so many London shows and loved them all. Decided to try something different from the usual musical styles, and saw 39 Steps. Gosh, what a refreshing change! It was funny from start to finish but didn't lose track of the actual story. the acting was just great, they were all brilliant and worked so hard and really pulled it off excellently. Would definitely recommend everyone to see this before it disappears in September 2015. It really made you smile and laugh from start to finish - a really must see of the West End.

EmilyLondon Box Office customer

Great acting by only four people

BrianLondon Box Office customer

Not as good as I was led to believe.

A production that was a little bit laboured in getting to the point. Some good use of props. The props were, on occasion, not clever enough to stop one thinking they were being used to cut down on cost.

JohnLondon Box Office customer

An amazing show , I was laughing so much , really enjoyed, it was brilliant .

An amazing show , I was laughing so much , really enjoyed, it was brilliant !! . I have seen other comedies during the past years , this one is the best so far !! . Well done . Great entertainment .

Perla del Rocio London Box Office customer

Fabulous farce!

This show had everything - great acting, visual effects, one-liners and great comic effects. We laughed a lot and came away feeling really great! Brilliant new take on a classic book and film!

RaeLondon Box Office customer

39 steps

Superb show for any ages, the acting was brilliant, thoroughly enjoyed it.

paulLondon Box Office customer

More than 39 steps!

Whilst it seemed like there were more than 39 steps from street level down to the stalls seats, the show was worth the effort of every one of them. Clever, fast moving, hilarious, with a verbal or visual gag every second, the funniest show in London and most highly recommended.

RobLondon Box Office customer

unexpectedly funny

Kate London Box Office customer

Great acting, funny, well recommended

KamiLondon Box Office customer

Showcase of Comic Skills

I thought the performances & inventiveness of the show was terrific, I did find the second half lost my interest somewhat but purely down to the story.
I laughed a lot & enjoyed it very much.

AliceLondon Box Office customer

Fantastic!

Fantastic creative show with acting costumes words sets & particularly the music! In the wonderful historic Criterion theatre in an incredible location in the heart of London, right next to the Piccadilly Circus statute - which added to the atmosphere! Amazing talent of the cast!

CarolineLondon Box Office customer

Well staged

If you've seen the film then forget it before entering and enjoy the show.

kenLondon Box Office customer

Very enjoyable comedy, charactors played by all the cast excellent, the comedy was a little repetitive after a while but still very funny. If you had seen the original film everything was clear if you hadn't it was a little fuzzy at times, the show was very slick and sent us home with a smile on our faces we were not disappointed.

TerryLondon Box Office customer

Outstanding

I liked the show, had no idea what it was about, but then I generally have no idea. I just turn up with little expectations, which always seems to turn into a great evening out. Great show would recommend, because the cast of was four were phenomenal!
Everyone should go to watch....

Belinda London Box Office customer

Fun at the Criterion

Enjoyable light entertainment, a fairly short show so great for weary tourists! The Theatre is worth visiting just for the decor alone.

Jean London Box Office customer

funny

AdeLondon Box Office customer

Excellent show

ThelmaLondon Box Office customer

Great Fun!

GillLondon Box Office customer

39 Steps

excellent acting, very cleverly done !

Tina London Box Office customer

great theatre but read up before viewimg

NigelLondon Box Office customer

Hilarious Thriller

MargaretLondon Box Office customer

Good fun show

MandyLondon Box Office customer

Brilliant

Hilarious, fast moving and very cleverly delivered. I would recommend this play to anyone.

HildaLondon Box Office customer

SUCH FUN

Not sure when booked, but completely converted! This was a fun show with lots of laughs and great acting. Although only a cast of 4, they took 139 parts between them, which were very cleverly managed.

SueLondon Box Office customer

Splendid show

JanniLondon Box Office customer

Great entertainment!!

If you need cheering up go and see this show, brilliantly acted by all cast members (only four!) and genuinely very funny!! One of the best theater experiences we've had, great stuff!!

RichardLondon Box Office customer

The 39 Step

The show is based on the 1935 film and is set in that period and not 1914 as the book, that being said, it doesn't suffer from this. The acting is exceptional and the flexibility of the supporting actors and the breadth of their vocal styles makes this play a very enjoyable use of an evening. My Wife who does not like 'Plays' and prefers musicals but really enjoyed this.

PhilLondon Box Office customer

39 Steps

Interesting for younger students of drama. Excellent acting - but very sparse on props/effects. OK at half price. Would not pay full price for something that could be staged in a village hall. Bit of a rip off.

MargaretLondon Box Office customer

Great night out

This is a quirky but very funny show, cleverly done in an old theatre full of charm.

MartinLondon Box Office customer

Hugely entertaining

Great show. Fast paced and very funny in a lovely intimate theatre

MuniraLondon Box Office customer

A great show

JudieLondon Box Office customer

It's a definition of Fun

Funny on many levels. Witty and very "theatry".

NikodemLondon Box Office customer

Fantastic Show

DianeLondon Box Office customer

Top Show

A good spoof of 39 steps with the actors skilfully switching between roles with slickly precision making it look easy when it is not. Liked the 30s theme which worked well with the cinema. Lots of Hitchcock puns. My wife and I enjoyed the whole thing. Tip Top.

SteveLondon Box Office customer

wonderful

Super seats Row D in the Stalls. It was real hoot, loved every minute of the show

Caroline London Box Office customer

39 Steps

SueLondon Box Office customer

Excellent show

Anonymous

Extremely funny and very clever

LozLondon Box Office customer

Two of our party fell asleep. So not quite as exciting as its billed...

Anonymous

An excellent show: much enjoyed

StevenLondon Box Office customer

Really enjoyed the show. The set design was very clever and the actors did an excellent job of sharing out a myriad of roles between just the 4 of them. Plus the theatre itself is lovely. We were at the station back of the stalls but it felt like we were close to the stage.

Anonymous

Tired and dated

Got tickets at half price so thought I'd give it a try. Not sure why this is still running as it seemed very dated and the actors seemed to be going through the motions a bit.
I was tempted to walk out in the interval but thought it might pick up in the second half but it didn't.

LukeLondon Box Office customer

Great adaptation, with some laugh out loud moments

VikkiLondon Box Office customer

Excellent show which will appeal to all. Clever and well acted. My partner and I loved it!

keithLondon Box Office customer

fabulous pitty my sister in a wheelchair couln't see it though

fabulous and very funny will come and see it again

janeusLondon Box Office customer

Drama converted to comedy

Those familiar with the Hitchcock 1935 version starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll will not be disappointed. This production sticks pretty much to the plot but is converted from drama to a comedy adventure. The four actors handle all the many characters with incredible verve. The choreography involved in converting a car into a train etc is breathtaking and very, very funny. A joy from start to finish.

AdrianLondon Box Office customer

We had a great time!

The show is very funny and rather clever. The acting is absolutely brilliant, as the only 4 people make it all.
The theatre is old but beautiful.
Our seats in the Dress Circle Row A (seats 19,20) were simply perfect. Have enjoyed the show a lot and been pleased with the choice, as it was my partner's birhtday present from me. :)

AliceLondon Box Office customer

Great Show thoroughly enjoyed it.

My only negative is that there are several sets of stairs to negotiate and although I like to think of myself as a young 70yr old, they (and the ones encountered on the tube) were a struggle.

TriciaLondon Box Office customer

The alternative ish 39 steps

Very good and entertaining you will have a laugh

Richard London Box Office customer

Absolutely excellent. Laughed till my sides ached

Anonymous

Surprisingly captivating

A very interesting and amusing play with excellent and energetic acting. Pleasantly surprised!

JeanineLondon Box Office customer

Clever adaptation!

Great night out, funny and very clever. The use of props was brilliant and the actors were fantastic. Suitable for everyone and guaranteed to make you laugh.

ZoeLondon Box Office customer

Great London theatre performance!

My wife and I throughlu enjoyed this show. Must watch!!

GajLondon Box Office customer

39 steps

Very entertaining; the four actors worked very hard and put their all into their parts. A really enjoyable visit to a lovely unique theatre.

ElaineLondon Box Office customer

39steps

Really excellent show & very funny . The theatre on the other hand could have been better struggled to see some bits we where seated in the stalls row m

RobertLondon Box Office customer

Brilliant!

Exquisite show!!!!!

RamonLondon Box Office customer

Hilarious japes

A really enjoyable show with some very hard working actors and actress. Lots of laughs and some brilliant stage craft.

JamesLondon Box Office customer

39 Steps

If you want a fun relaxed & amusing evening at the theatre this is the show to go to - excellent acting & extremely funny with never a dull moment - we laughed all the way through!!

SylviaLondon Box Office customer

Fast-paced witty show

NancyLondon Box Office customer

I loved the 39 steps

I totally loved the show.The Actors were all first class and my only disappointment was that the show ended so soon.The mix of jokes, old, new and different coupled with some very clever stage craft had me smiling, giggling and belly laughing the whole way through.
Well done.

DerekLondon Box Office customer

Creative, funny a fantastic show!!

ChristianaLondon Box Office customer

Great fun

As long as you are not too serious it is great fun

StuartLondon Box Office customer

Very witty and funny production!

This is a hugely witty and inventive comedy, slickly performed and very well acted. It recounts, skilfully and hilariously, John Buchan's famous thriller, and does so with pace and verve. Clever breaking of the 'fourth wall' draw the audience into the proceedings and it is easy to see why this play has garnered its accolades. Thoroughly recommended!

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